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WASHINGTON — Americans shopped at a healthy pace in July, buying more cars, clothes and appliances, evidence that confident consumers are helping drive robust economic growth.

WASHINGTON — U.S. productivity grew at an annual rate of 2.9% in the second quarter, the fastest pace in more than three years, while labor costs actually fell.

WASHINGTON — U.S. industrial production rose modestly last month, held down by drops in mining and utilities.

Ford Motor Co. will spend nearly $740 million to renovate the Michigan Central Station and other sites the automaker purchased in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood, the company said Aug. 14.

Deb DeLuca was named the executive director of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority Aug. 13, becoming the first woman to hold the role.

Turkey’s president appeared to escalate a dispute with the United States that has helped foment a Turkish currency crisis, claiming Aug. 14 that his country will boycott U.S.-made electronic goods. Behind the scenes, however, diplomats resumed contact to ease tensions.

New rules limiting the amount of sulfur allowed in shipping fuel is expected to cut demand for high-sulfur fuel oil and the sour crude that yields it. In Canada, that could extend — or worsen — the biggest price slump in nearly five years.

PetroChina, a unit of the state-owned China National Petroleum Corp., may suspend its buying of U.S. liquefied natural gas cargoes during the colder months, just as new American LNG terminals start up.

The Port of Vancouver will hold a public workshop after its regularly scheduled meeting Aug. 14 to draft a vision statement detailing the future of the port.

President Donald Trump said negotiations with Mexico on a new NAFTA are “coming along nicely,” while telling Canada it will have to wait to re-enter the talks to modernize the three-nation trade pact — hinting at his preference for bilateral negotiations.